38018 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 135 / Monday, July 19, 2021 / Notices 

Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd. 

Duo-Fast Co., Ltd 

Duo-Fast Korea Co., Ltd. 

Euro Line Global Co. Ltd. 

Fastgrow International Co. 

Geekay Wires Limited 

Hanbit Logistics Co., Ltd. 

Hanmi Staple Co., Ltd 

Hebei Cangzhou New Century Foreign Trade 

Co., Ltd. 

Hebei Jinsidun Trade Co. Ltd. 

Hebei Minghao Import Export Co Li 

Hebei Minmetals Co., Ltd. 

Hengtuo Metal Products Co Ltd 

Hongyi Hardware Products Co., Ltd. 

Inmax Sdn. Bhd. 

Jas Forwarding (Korea) Co. Ltd. 

JCD Group Co., Limited 

Jeil Tacker Co. Ltd. 

Je-il Wire Production Co., Ltd. 

Jinhai Hardware Co., Ltd. 

Jinheung Steel Corporation 

Jinsco International Corp. 

Joo Sung Sea & Air Co., Ltd 

Joosung B&P 

Jung Fastener 

Kabool Fasteners Co., Ltd. 

Kintetsu World Express (Korea) Inc. 

Korea Wire Co., Ltd. 

Kousa Int. Logistics Co. Ltd. 

KPF Co., Ltd. 

Kuehne + Nagel Ltd. 

Liang Chyuan Industrial Co., Ltd. 

Maxpeed International Transport 

Mingguang Ruifeng Hardware Products Co., 

Ltd. 

MPROVE Co., Limited 

Nailtech Co., Ltd. 

OEC Freight (Korea) Co., Ltd. 

OEC Worldwide Korea Co., Ltd. 

Orient Express Container Co., Ltd 

Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. 

Peace Industries, Ltd. 

Promising Way (HongKong) Limited 

Pro-Team Coil Nail Enterprise Inc. 

Qingdao Cheshire Trading Co. Ltd. 

Qingdao D&L Group Ltd. 

Qingdao Hongyuan Nail Industry Co. Ltd. 

Qingdao JCD Machinery Co., Ltd. 

Qingdao Jisco Co., Ltd. 

Qingdao Mst Industry and Commerce Co., 

Ltd. 

Ramses Logistics Co., Ltd. 

Schenker Korea Ltd. 

Sejung Shipping Co., Ltd. 

Shandong Oriental Cherry Hardware Group 

Co. Ltd. 

Shandong Oriental Cherry Hardware Import 

& Export Co., Ltd. 

Shandong Qingyun Hongyi Hardware 

Products Co., Ltd. 

Shanghai Zoonlion Industrial Co., Ltd. 

Shanxi Pioneer Hardware Industry Co., Ltd. 

Shanxi Tianli Industries Co., Ltd. 

Shipco Transport (Korea) Co., Ltd. 

ST Fasteners 

Suntec Industries Co., Ltd. 

The Inno Steel 

Tianjin Coways Metal Products Co. 

Tianjin Hongli Qiangsheng Imp. & Exp 

Tianjin Jinchi Metal Products Co., Ltd. 

Tianjin Jinghai County Hongli 

Tianjin Lituo Imp & Exp Co., Ltd 

Tianjin Liweitian Metal Technology 

Tianjin Xinhe International Trade Co. Ltd 

Tianjin Zhonglian Metals Ware Co. Ltd. 

Tianjin Zhonglian Times Technology 

Unicorn (Tianjin) Fasteners Co., Ltd. 

Woosung Shipping Co. Ltd. 

Wulian Zhanpeng Metals Co., Ltd. 

Xi’an Metals and Minerals Imp. Exp. Co., Ltd. 

Xinjiayuan International Trade Co. 

Young-Ko Trans Co., Ltd. 

Youngwoo Fasteners Co., Ltd. 

Zhaoqing Harvest Nails Co., Ltd. 

Zon Mon Co Ltd. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15265 Filed 7–16–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XB248] 

Taking and Importing Marine 

Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 

Incidental to Geophysical Surveys 

Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the 

Gulf of Mexico 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of issuance of Letters of 

Authorization. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Marine Mammal Protection Act 

(MMPA), as amended, its implementing 

regulations, and NMFS’ MMPA 

Regulations for Taking Marine 

Mammals Incidental to Geophysical 

Surveys Related to Oil and Gas 

Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, 

notification is hereby given that two 

Letters of Authorization (LOA) have 

been issued to bp Exploration & 

Production Inc. (bp) for the take of 

marine mammals incidental to 

geophysical survey activity in the Gulf 

of Mexico. 

DATES: The LOAs are effective from July 

13, 2021, through April 19, 2026. 

ADDRESSES: The LOAs, LOA requests, 

and supporting documentation are 

available online at: 

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ 

incidental-take-authorization-oil-andgas-industry-geophysical-surveyactivity-gulf-mexico. In case of problems 

accessing these documents, please call 

the contact listed below (see FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben 

Laws, Office of Protected Resources, 

NMFS, (301) 427–8401. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the 

MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct 

the Secretary of Commerce to allow, 

upon request, the incidental, but not 

intentional, taking of small numbers of 

marine mammals by U.S. citizens who 

engage in a specified activity (other than 

commercial fishing) within a specified 

geographical region if certain findings 

are made and either regulations are 

issued or, if the taking is limited to 

harassment, a notice of a proposed 

authorization is provided to the public 

for review. 

An authorization for incidental 

takings shall be granted if NMFS finds 

that the taking will have a negligible 

impact on the species or stock(s), will 

not have an unmitigable adverse impact 

on the availability of the species or 

stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 

relevant), and if the permissible 

methods of taking and requirements 

pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring 

and reporting of such takings are set 

forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible 

impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact 

resulting from the specified activity that 

cannot be reasonably expected to, and is 

not reasonably likely to, adversely affect 

the species or stock through effects on 

annual rates of recruitment or survival. 

Except with respect to certain 

activities not pertinent here, the MMPA 

defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of 

pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) 

has the potential to injure a marine 

mammal or marine mammal stock in the 

wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has 

the potential to disturb a marine 

mammal or marine mammal stock in the 

wild by causing disruption of behavioral 

patterns, including, but not limited to, 

migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, 

feeding, or sheltering (Level B 

harassment). 

On January 19, 2021, we issued a final 

rule with regulations to govern the 

unintentional taking of marine 

mammals incidental to geophysical 

survey activities conducted by oil and 

gas industry operators, and those 

persons authorized to conduct activities 

on their behalf (collectively ‘‘industry 

operators’’), in Federal waters of the 

U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) over the 

course of 5 years (86 FR 5322; January 

19, 2021). The rule was based on our 

findings that the total taking from the 

specified activities over the 5-year 

period will have a negligible impact on 

the affected species or stock(s) of marine 

mammals and will not have an 

unmitigable adverse impact on the 

availability of those species or stocks for 

subsistence uses. The rule became 

effective on April 19, 2021. 

Our regulations at 50 CFR 217.180 et 

seq. allow for the issuance of LOAs to 

industry operators for the incidental 

take of marine mammals during 

geophysical survey activities and 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 135 / Monday, July 19, 2021 / Notices 38019 

1For purposes of acoustic exposure modeling, the 

GOM was divided into seven zones. Zone 1 is not 

included in the geographic scope of the rule. 2For purposes of acoustic exposure modeling, 

seasons include Winter (December–March) and 

Summer (April–November). 

3The final rule refers to the GOM Bryde’s whale 

(Balaenoptera edeni). These whales were 

subsequently described as a new species, Rice’s 

whale (Balaenoptera ricei) (Rosel et al., 2021). 

prescribe the permissible methods of 

taking and other means of effecting the 

least practicable adverse impact on 

marine mammal species or stocks and 

their habitat (often referred to as 

mitigation), as well as requirements 

pertaining to the monitoring and 

reporting of such taking. Under 50 CFR 

217.186(e), issuance of an LOA shall be 

based on a determination that the level 

of taking will be consistent with the 

findings made for the total taking 

allowable under these regulations and a 

determination that the amount of take 

authorized under the LOA is of no more 

than small numbers. 

Summary of Request and Analysis 

Bp plans to conduct vertical seismic 

profile (VSP) geophysical surveys 

within existing bp prospects and/or 

fields, including the Mad Dog, Na Kika, 

Thunder Horse, and Atlantis prospects 

located in the Green Canyon (Mad Dog 

and Atlantis), Mississippi Canyon (Na 

Kika and Thunder Horse), and Atwater 

Valley (Atlantis) areas of the central 

GOM (see Figure 1 in bp’s applications). 

Bp submitted one LOA request related 

to Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) 

VSP surveys at these areas and a 

separate LOA request related to zero 

offset VSP surveys at the same areas. 

The survey activity could occur at any 

time during the effective period of the 

LOAs, and surveys could occur at any 

of the prospect areas. 

Bp anticipates a total of 10 DAS VSP 

surveys over the period of LOA 

effectiveness, with each survey expected 

to require 10 days (total of 100 days over 

the period of effectiveness). Bp 

anticipates that no more than two 

surveys would occur in any one year. 

However, due to the potential for 

unforeseen circumstances that would 

require a longer duration to accomplish 

the survey objectives, bp may conduct 

up to 25 DAS VSP survey days in any 

one year. 

Bp anticipates a total of 10 zero offset 

VSP surveys over the period of LOA 

effectiveness, with each survey expected 

to require 2 days (total of 20 days over 

the period of effectiveness). Bp 

anticipates that no more than two 

surveys would occur in any one year. 

However, due to the potential for 

unforeseen circumstances that would 

require a longer duration to accomplish 

the survey objectives, bp may conduct 

up to 7 zero offset VSP survey days in 

any one year. 

For DAS VSP surveys, bp anticipates 

using an airgun array consisting of 32 

elements, with a total volume of 5,110 

cubic inches (in3). For zero offset VSP 

surveys, bp anticipates using an airgun 

array consisting of 6–12 elements, with 

a total volume of 2,400 in3. Please see 

bp’s applications for additional detail. 

Consistent with the preamble to the 

final rule, the survey effort proposed by 

bp in its LOA requests was used to 

develop LOA-specific take estimates 

based on the acoustic exposure 

modeling results described in the 

preamble (86 FR 5322, 5398; January 19, 

2021). In order to generate the 

appropriate take number for 

authorization, the following information 

was considered: (1) Survey type; (2) 

location (by modeling zone 1); (3) 

number of days; and (4) season.2 The 

acoustic exposure modeling performed 

in support of the rule provides 24-hour 

exposure estimates for each species, 

specific to each modeled survey type in 

each zone and season. 

No VSP surveys were included in the 

modeled survey types, and use of 

existing proxies (i.e., 2D, 3D NAZ, 3D 

WAZ, Coil) is generally conservative for 

use in evaluation of VSP survey effort. 

Summary descriptions of these modeled 

survey geometries are available in the 

preamble to the proposed rule (83 FR 

29212, 29220; June 22, 2018). 2D was 

selected as the best available proxy 

survey type. The DAS VSP would use 

one or two source vessels. Each source 

array on the vessel will be separated by 

at least 40 m with shots being 

conducted in a ‘‘flip flop mode’’ such 

that only 1 array shoots at one time. 

Because the sources are not firing 

simultaneously, and because the areal 

coverage of the DAS VSP survey is 

significantly smaller than is assumed for 

a 3D NAZ survey, 2D was selected as 

the most appropriate proxy. Zero offset 

VSP surveys are significantly different 

from modeled survey geometries, in that 

they are conducted from a stationary or 

near-stationary deployment very close 

to an active drilling platform. During 

zero offset VSP surveys, the seismic 

source array is typically deployed from 

a drilling rig or from one to two source 

vessels operating at or near the 

borehole, with the seismic receivers 

(i.e., geophones) deployed in the 

borehole on wireline at specified depth 

intervals. Use of the 2D proxy for zero 

offset VSP surveys is expected to be 

significantly conservative. In addition, 

all available acoustic exposure modeling 

results assume use of a 72 element, 

8,000 in3 array. In this case, take 

numbers authorized through the LOAs 

are considered conservative (i.e., they 

likely overestimate take) due to 

differences in both the airgun arrays and 

the survey geometries planned by bp, as 

compared to those modeled for the rule. 

As described above, the maximum 

annual survey effort is 25 days for DAS 

VSP and 7 days for zero offset VSP. For 

all survey effort, it is assumed that 75 

percent would occur in Zone 5 and 25 

percent in Zone 7. Although the 

location of individual surveys is not 

known in advance, the described 

distribution was selected based on the 

location of the prospect areas (the 

majority of total prospect area coverage 

is in Zone 5, with some overlap into 

Zone 7). The season is not known in 

advance. Therefore, the take estimates 

for each species are based on the season 

that has the greater value for the species 

(i.e., winter or summer). 

For some species, take estimates 

based solely on the modeling yielded 

results that are not realistically likely to 

occur when considered in light of other 

relevant information available during 

the rulemaking process regarding 

marine mammal occurrence in the 

GOM. Thus, although the modeling 

conducted for the rule is a natural 

starting point for estimating take, our 

rule acknowledged that other 

information could be considered (see, 

e.g., 86 FR 5322, 5442 (January 19, 

2021), discussing the need to provide 

flexibility and make efficient use of 

previous public and agency review of 

other information and identifying that 

additional public review is not 

necessary unless the model or inputs 

used differ substantively from those that 

were previously reviewed by NMFS and 

the public). For this survey, NMFS has 

other relevant information reviewed 

during the rulemaking that indicates use 

of the acoustic exposure modeling to 

generate a take estimate for certain 

marine mammal species produces 

results inconsistent with what is known 

regarding their occurrence in the GOM. 

Accordingly, we have adjusted the 

calculated take estimates for those 

species as described below. 

Rice’s whales (formerly known as 

GOM Bryde’s whales) 3 are generally 

found within a small area in the 

northeastern GOM in waters between 

100–400 meters (m) depth along the 

continental shelf break (Rosel et al., 

2016). Whaling records suggest that 

Rice’s whales historically had a broader 

distribution within similar habitat 

parameters throughout the GOM (Reeves 

et al., 2011; Rosel and Wilcox, 2014), 

and a NOAA survey reported 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
38020 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 135 / Monday, July 19, 2021 / Notices 

4However, note that these species have been 

observed over a greater range of water depths in the 

GOM than have killer whales. 

observation of a Rice’s whale in the 

western GOM in 2017 (NMFS, 2018). 

Habitat-based density modeling 

identified similar habitat (i.e., 

approximately 100–400 m water depths 

along the continental shelf break) as 

being potential Rice’s whale habitat 

(Roberts et al., 2016), although a ‘‘core 

habitat area’’ defined in the northeastern 

GOM (outside the scope of the rule) 

contained approximately 92 percent of 

the predicted abundance of Rice’s 

whales. See discussion provided at, e.g., 

83 FR 29212, 29228, 29280 (June 22, 

2018); 86 FR 5322, 5418 (January 19, 

2021). 

Although it is possible that Rice’s 

whales may occur outside of their core 

habitat, NMFS expects that any such 

occurrence would be limited to the 

narrow band of suitable habitat 

described above (i.e., 100–400 m). Bp’s 

planned activity will occur in water 

depths of approximately 1,200–2,300 m 

in the central GOM. NMFS does not 

expect there to be the reasonable 

potential for take of Rice’s whale in 

association with this survey and, 

accordingly, does not authorize take of 

Rice’s whale through this LOA. 

Killer whales are the most rarely 

encountered species in the GOM, 

typically in deep waters of the central 

GOM (Roberts et al., 2015; Maze-Foley 

and Mullin, 2006). The approach used 

in the acoustic exposure modeling, in 

which seven modeling zones were 

defined over the U.S. GOM, necessarily 

averages fine-scale information about 

marine mammal distribution over the 

large area of each modeling zone. NMFS 

has determined that the approach 

results in unrealistic projections 

regarding the likelihood of encountering 

killer whales. 

As discussed in the final rule, the 

density models produced by Roberts et 

al. (2016) provide the best available 

scientific information regarding 

predicted density patterns of cetaceans 

in the U.S. GOM. The predictions 

represent the output of models derived 

from multi-year observations and 

associated environmental parameters 

that incorporate corrections for 

detection bias. However, in the case of 

killer whales, the model is informed by 

few data, as indicated by the coefficient 

of variation associated with the 

abundance predicted by the model 

(0.41, the second-highest of any GOM 

species model; Roberts et al., 2016). The 

model’s authors noted the expected 

non-uniform distribution of this rarelyencountered species (as discussed 

above) and expressed that, due to the 

limited data available to inform the 

model, it ‘‘should be viewed cautiously’’ 

(Roberts et al., 2015). 

NOAA surveys in the GOM from 

1992–2009 reported only 16 sightings of 

killer whales, with an additional three 

encounters during more recent survey 

effort from 2017–18 (Waring et al., 2013; 

www.boem.gov/gommapps). Two other 

species were also observed on fewer 

than 20 occasions during the 1992–2009 

NOAA surveys (Fraser’s dolphin and 

false killer whale 4). However, 

observational data collected by 

protected species observers (PSOs) on 

industry geophysical survey vessels 

from 2002–2015 distinguish the killer 

whale in terms of rarity. During this 

period, killer whales were encountered 

on only 10 occasions, whereas the next 

most rarely encountered species 

(Fraser’s dolphin) was recorded on 69 

occasions (Barkaszi and Kelly, 2019). 

The false killer whale and pygmy killer 

whale were the next most rarely 

encountered species, with 110 records 

each. The killer whale was the species 

with the lowest detection frequency 

during each period over which PSO data 

were synthesized (2002–2008 and 2009– 

2015). This information qualitatively 

informed our rulemaking process, as 

discussed at 86 FR 5322, 5334 (January 

19, 2021), and similarly informs our 

analysis here. 

The rarity of encounter during seismic 

surveys is not likely to be the product 

of high bias on the probability of 

detection. Unlike certain cryptic species 

with high detection bias, such as Kogia 

spp. or beaked whales, or deep-diving 

species with high availability bias, such 

as beaked whales or sperm whales, 

killer whales are typically available for 

detection when present and are easily 

observed. Roberts et al. (2015) stated 

that availability is not a major factor 

affecting detectability of killer whales 

from shipboard surveys, as they are not 

a particularly long-diving species. Baird 

et al. (2005) reported that mean dive 

durations for 41 fish-eating killer whales 

for dives greater than or equal to 1 

minute in duration was 2.3–2.4 minutes, 

and Hooker et al. (2012) reported that 

killer whales spent 78 percent of their 

time at depths between 0–10 m. 

Similarly, Kvadsheim et al. (2012) 

reported data from a study of four killer 

whales, noting that the whales 

performed 20 times as many dives 1–30 

m in depth than to deeper waters, with 

an average depth during those most 

common dives of approximately 3 m. 

In summary, killer whales are the 

most rarely encountered species in the 

GOM and typically occur only in 

particularly deep water. While this 

information is reflected through the 

density model informing the acoustic 

exposure modeling results, there is 

relatively high uncertainty associated 

with the model for this species, and the 

acoustic exposure modeling applies 

mean distribution data over areas where 

the species is in fact less likely to occur. 

NMFS’ determination in reflection of 

the data discussed above, which 

informed the final rule, is that use of the 

generic acoustic exposure modeling 

results for killer whales will generally 

result in estimated take numbers that 

are inconsistent with the assumptions 

made in the rule regarding expected 

killer whale take (86 FR 5322, 5403; 

January 19, 2021). 

In past authorizations, NMFS has 

often addressed situations involving the 

low likelihood of encountering a rare 

species such as killer whales in the 

GOM through authorization of take of a 

single group of average size (i.e., 

representing a single potential 

encounter). See 83 FR 63268, December 

7, 2018. See also 86 FR 29090, May 28, 

2021; 85 FR 55645, September 9, 2020. 

For the reasons expressed above, NMFS 

determined that a single encounter of 

killer whales is more likely than the 

model-generated estimates and has 

authorized take associated with a single 

killer whale group encounter (i.e., up to 

seven animals). 

Based on the results of our analysis, 

NMFS has determined that the level of 

taking expected for these surveys and 

authorized through the LOA is 

consistent with the findings made for 

the total taking allowable under the 

regulations. See Tables 1 and 2 in this 

notice and Table 9 of the rule (86 FR 

5322; January 19, 2021). 

Small Numbers Determinations 

Under the GOM rule, NMFS may not 

authorize incidental take of marine 

mammals in an LOA if it will exceed 

‘‘small numbers.’’ In short, when an 

acceptable estimate of the individual 

marine mammals taken is available, if 

the estimated number of individual 

animals taken is up to, but not greater 

than, one-third of the best available 

abundance estimate, NMFS will 

determine that the numbers of marine 

mammals taken of a species or stock are 

small. For more information please see 

NMFS’ discussion of the MMPA’s small 

numbers requirement provided in the 

final rule (86 FR 5322, 5438; January 19, 

2021). 

The take numbers for authorization 

are determined as described above. 

Subsequently, the total incidents of 

harassment for each species may be 

multiplied by scalar ratios to produce a 

derived product that better reflects the 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 135 / Monday, July 19, 2021 / Notices 38021 

number of individuals likely to be taken 

within a survey (as compared to the 

total number of instances of take), 

accounting for the likelihood that some 

individual marine mammals may be 

taken on more than one day (see 86 FR 

5322, 5404; January 19, 2021). The 

output of this scaling, where 

appropriate, is incorporated into an 

adjusted total take estimate that is the 

basis for NMFS’ small numbers 

determinations, as depicted in Table 1 

for Bp’s DAS VSP surveys (maximum 25 

days annually) and in Table 2 for zero 

offset VSP surveys (maximum 7 days 

annually). 

This product is used by NMFS in 

making the necessary small numbers 

determinations, through comparison 

with the best available abundance 

estimates (see discussion at 86 FR 5322, 

5391; January 19, 2021). For this 

comparison, NMFS’ approach is to use 

the maximum theoretical population, 

determined through review of current 

stock abundance reports (SAR; 

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ 

marine-mammal-protection/marinemammal-stock-assessments) and modelpredicted abundance information 

(https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/ 

Duke/GOM/). For the latter, for taxa 

where a density surface model could be 

produced, we use the maximum mean 

seasonal (i.e., 3-month) abundance 

prediction for purposes of comparison 

as a precautionary smoothing of monthto-month fluctuations and in 

consideration of a corresponding lack of 

data in the literature regarding seasonal 

distribution of marine mammals in the 

GOM. Information supporting the small 

numbers determinations is provided in 

Tables 1 and 2. 

TABLE 1—TAKE ANALYSIS, DAS VSP LOA 

Species 

Annual 

authorized 

take 

Scaled annual 

take 1 Abundance 2 Percent 

abundance 

Sperm whale .................................................................................................... 709 299.9 2,207 13.6 

Kogia spp ......................................................................................................... 3 274 72.0 4,373 2.1 

Beaked whales ................................................................................................ 4,001 404.1 3,768 10.7 

Rough-toothed dolphin .................................................................................... 478 137.2 4,853 2.8 

Bottlenose dolphin ........................................................................................... 2,432 698.0 176,108 0.4 

Clymene dolphin .............................................................................................. 1,603 460.1 11,895 3.9 

Atlantic spotted dolphin ................................................................................... 920 264.0 74,785 0.4

Pantropical spotted dolphin ............................................................................. 8,251 2,368.0 102,361 2.3 

Spinner dolphin ................................................................................................ 1,770 508.0 25,114 2.0 

Striped dolphin ................................................................................................. 649 186.3 5,229 3.6 

Fraser’s dolphin ............................................................................................... 188 54.0 1,665 3.2 

Risso’s dolphin ................................................................................................. 457 134.8 3,764 3.6 

Melon-headed whale ....................................................................................... 1,037 305.9 7,003 4.4 

Pygmy killer whale ........................................................................................... 230 67.9 2,126 3.2

False killer whale ............................................................................................. 344 101.5 3,204 3.2 

Killer whale ...................................................................................................... 7 n/a 267 2.6

Short-finned pilot whale ................................................................................... 273 80.5 1,981 4.1 

1Scalar ratios were applied to ‘‘Annual Authorized Take’’ values as described at 86 FR 5322, 5404 (January 19, 2021) to derive scaled take 

numbers shown here. 2Best abundance estimate. For most taxa, the best abundance estimate for purposes of comparison with take estimates is considered here to 

be the model-predicted abundance (Roberts et al., 2016). For those taxa where a density surface model predicting abundance by month was 

produced, the maximum mean seasonal abundance was used. For those taxa where abundance is not predicted by month, only mean annual 

abundance is available. For the killer whale, the larger estimated SAR abundance estimate is used. 3 Includes 6 annual takes by Level A harassment and 268 annual takes by Level B harassment. Scalar ratio is applied to takes by Level B harassment only; small numbers determination made on basis of scaled annual Level B harassment take plus annual Level A harassment take. 

TABLE 2—TAKE ANALYSIS, ZERO OFFSET VSP LOA 

Species 

Annual 

authorized 

take 1

Abundance 2 Percent 

abundance 

Sperm whale ................................................................................................................................ 198 2,207 9.0 

Kogia spp ..................................................................................................................................... 3 79 4,373 1.8 

Beaked whales ............................................................................................................................ 1,120 3,768 29.7 

Rough-toothed dolphin ................................................................................................................ 134 4,853 2.8 

Bottlenose dolphin ....................................................................................................................... 681 176,108 0.4 

Clymene dolphin .......................................................................................................................... 449 11,895 3.8 

Atlantic spotted dolphin ............................................................................................................... 258 74,785 0.3 

Pantropical spotted dolphin ......................................................................................................... 2,310 102,361 2.3 

Spinner dolphin ............................................................................................................................ 496 25,114 2.0 

Striped dolphin ............................................................................................................................. 182 5,229 3.5 

Fraser’s dolphin ........................................................................................................................... 53 1,665 3.2 

Risso’s dolphin ............................................................................................................................. 128 3,764 3.4 

Melon-headed whale ................................................................................................................... 290 7,003 4.1 

Pygmy killer whale ....................................................................................................................... 64 2,126 3.0 

False killer whale ......................................................................................................................... 96 3,204 3.0 

Killer whale .................................................................................................................................. 7 267 2.6 

Short-finned pilot whale ............................................................................................................... 77 1,981 3.9 

1Scalar ratios were not applied in this case due to brief annual survey duration. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
38022 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 135 / Monday, July 19, 2021 / Notices 

2Best abundance estimate. For most taxa, the best abundance estimate for purposes of comparison with take estimates is considered here to 

be the model-predicted abundance (Roberts et al., 2016). For those taxa where a density surface model predicting abundance by month was 

produced, the maximum mean seasonal abundance was used. For those taxa where abundance is not predicted by month, only mean annual 

abundance is available. For the killer whale, the larger estimated SAR abundance estimate is used. 3 Includes 2 annual takes by Level A harassment and 77 annual takes by Level B harassment. 

Based on the analysis contained 

herein of bp’s proposed survey activity 

described in its LOA applications and 

the anticipated take of marine 

mammals, NMFS finds that small 

numbers of marine mammals will be 

taken relative to the affected species or 

stock sizes (i.e., less than one-third of 

the best available abundance estimate) 

and therefore the taking is of no more 

than small numbers. 

Authorization 

NMFS has determined that the level 

of taking for these LOA requests is 

consistent with the findings made for 

the total taking allowable under the 

incidental take regulations and that the 

amount of take authorized under the 

LOAs is of no more than small numbers. 

Accordingly, we have issued two LOAs 

to bp authorizing the take of marine 

mammals incidental to its geophysical 

survey activity, as described above. 

Dated: July 14, 2021. 

Catherine Marzin, 

Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15241 Filed 7–16–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XB243] 

Pacific Fishery Management Council; 

Public Meeting 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of public meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery 

Management Council’s (Pacific Council) 

Salmon Technical Team (STT) will host 

an online meeting that is open to the 

public. 

DATES: The online meeting will be held 

Tuesday, August 3, 2021, from 9 a.m. 

until 5 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, or 

until business for the day has been 

completed. 

ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held 

online. Specific meeting information, 

including directions on how to join the 

meeting and system requirements will 

be provided in the meeting 

announcement on the Pacific Council’s 

website (see www.pcouncil.org). You 

may send an email to Mr. Kris 

Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@

noaa.gov) or contact him at (503) 820– 

2412 for technical assistance. 

Council address: Pacific Fishery 

Management Council, 7700 NE 

Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, 

OR 97220–1384. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Robin Ehlke, Staff Officer, Pacific 

Council; telephone: (503) 820–2410. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

purpose of the meeting will be to 

discuss the NMFS rule to implement 

provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (MSA) that require all fishery 

management plans (FMPs) to establish a 

standardized bycatch reporting 

methodology (SBRM) to assess the 

amount and type of bycatch occurring in 

a fishery. The STT will focus on the 

Pacific salmon FMP and develop, as 

needed, potential SBRM language to 

meet the NMFS requirement. The STT 

may also discuss and prepare for future 

STT meetings and future meetings with 

the Pacific Council and its advisory 

bodies, including, but not limited to, 

such topics as the annual salmon 

methodology review and technical 

material from the Pacific Council’s AdHoc Southern Oregon/Northern 

California Coast coho workgroup. 

Although non-emergency issues not 

contained in the meeting agenda may be 

discussed, those issues may not be the 

subject of formal action during this 

meeting. Action will be restricted to 

those issues specifically listed in this 

document and any issues arising after 

publication of this document that 

require emergency action under section 

305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act, 

provided the public has been notified of 

the intent to take final action to address 

the emergency. 

Special Accommodations 

Requests for sign language 

interpretation or other auxiliary aids 

should be directed to Mr. Kris 

Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@

noaa.gov; (503) 820–2412) at least 10 

days prior to the meeting date. 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 

Dated: July 13, 2021. 

Tracey L. Thompson, 

Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15225 Filed 7–16–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XB252] 

Taking and Importing Marine 

Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 

Incidental to Geophysical Surveys 

Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the 

Gulf of Mexico 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of issuance of letter of 

authorization. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Marine Mammal Protection Act 

(MMPA), as amended, its implementing 

regulations, and NMFS’ MMPA 

Regulations for Taking Marine 

Mammals Incidental to Geophysical 

Surveys Related to Oil and Gas 

Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, 

notification is hereby given that a Letter 

of Authorization (LOA) has been issued 

to Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron) for the 

take of marine mammals incidental to 

geophysical survey activity in the Gulf 

of Mexico. 

DATES: The LOA is effective from 

August 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: The LOA, LOA request, and 

supporting documentation are available 

online at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ 

action/incidental-take-authorization-oiland-gas-industry-geophysical-surveyactivity-gulf-mexico. In case of problems 

accessing these documents, please call 

the contact listed below (see FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben 

Laws, Office of Protected Resources, 

NMFS, (301) 427–8401. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the 

MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct 

the Secretary of Commerce to allow, 

upon request, the incidental, but not 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1